Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Description

Active, alert, and intelligent dogs. Enjoy dog sports such as agility, tracking, herding, Frisbee, flyball, musical canine freestyle, and competitive obedience. Stubborn tendencies may be lessened by using reward-based training involving small treats or favorite toys. Although they are often good with children, Cardigan Welsh Corgis are good watchdogs and can be wary of strangers and other dogs.

History

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi - the Corgi with the tail - is the older of the two Corgi breeds. It is believed to have been brought by the Celts to the area known as Cardiganshire, Wales, in about 1200 BC. The breed is descended from the Teckel family of dogs, which includes the Dachshund. Hundreds of years later, in a period when the land available to a Welsh crofter was determined by the acreage his cattle grazed, the Corgi was trained to drive the cattle as far afield as possible, thereby expanding his master's land. In addition to its cattle dog role, the Corgi served as family guardian, pet, and vermin exterminator. The original Corgi, became very scarce, when the division of the Crown lands and their sale to the crofters reduced their usefulness. It is due to the diligence of modern breeders that the old strains have been preserved. Until 1934, both the Cardigan and the Pembroke Corgis were considered one breed in England, and only 59 Cardigans were registered at that time. The first pair of Cardigan Welsh Corgis were imported to the US in 1931, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1935.